TY - JOUR
T1 - Cross-language insights
T2 - Comparing Spanish and English-language cervical cancer content on TikTok
AU - Velasquez, Jessica
AU - Mohammed-Norgan, Maryam
AU - Scheiber, Alexandra
AU - Chalif, Julia
AU - Gonzalez, Anna
AU - Glassman, Danielle
AU - Morton, Molly
AU - O'Malley, David M.
AU - Chambers, Laura M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025
PY - 2025/3
Y1 - 2025/3
N2 - Objectives: To investigate themes, quality, and reliability of cervical cancer (CC) related Spanish-language content on TikTok as compared to English-language content. Methods: TikTok was systematically searched for the top 200 Spanish-language and 100 English-language posts for CC in August 2024. Data were collected including creator demographics, timing of posts in relation to diagnosis, tone, intent, and themes. The modified DISCERN, a validated tool including structured questions assessing reliability and of health-related resources was utilized to assess videos with educational intent. Differences were assessed. Results: There were more physician Spanish-language creators (27.8 %) compared to physician English-language creators (11.00 %, p < 0.001). Most Spanish-language education videos were created by physicians (82.25 %). Spanish-language posts were more likely to feature themes of treatment toxicities (7.5 % vs 1.7 %, p < 0.001), faith (3.7 % vs 0.7 %, p = 0.003), pain (2.0 % vs 0 %, p = 0.001), family support (1.6 % vs 0 %, p = 0.004), hair loss (1.8 % vs 0.3 %, p = 0.039), and long-term treatment sequelae (1.4 % vs 0 %, p = 0.007); and less likely to address themes of diagnosis (11.8 % vs 18.0 %, p < 0.001), fear or anxiety about cancer (3.4 % vs 8.2 %, p = 0.002), impact on sexual function (0.6 % vs 6.1 %, p < 0.001) and parenthood (0 % vs 3.7 %, p < 0.001). The median DISCERN score was 1.42 (Interquartile Range [IQR] 1.33–1.67) and 1.33 (IQR 1.00–1.92), for Spanish and English-language posts, respectively (p = 0.385). Conclusions: There were significantly more Spanish-language physician creators suggesting a strong interest in physician-driven content. Thematic differences between Spanish-language and English-language posts highlight important differences in experiences. CC-related content is of poor educational quality, regardless of language. Improving TikTok educational content could increase CC awareness and prevention.
AB - Objectives: To investigate themes, quality, and reliability of cervical cancer (CC) related Spanish-language content on TikTok as compared to English-language content. Methods: TikTok was systematically searched for the top 200 Spanish-language and 100 English-language posts for CC in August 2024. Data were collected including creator demographics, timing of posts in relation to diagnosis, tone, intent, and themes. The modified DISCERN, a validated tool including structured questions assessing reliability and of health-related resources was utilized to assess videos with educational intent. Differences were assessed. Results: There were more physician Spanish-language creators (27.8 %) compared to physician English-language creators (11.00 %, p < 0.001). Most Spanish-language education videos were created by physicians (82.25 %). Spanish-language posts were more likely to feature themes of treatment toxicities (7.5 % vs 1.7 %, p < 0.001), faith (3.7 % vs 0.7 %, p = 0.003), pain (2.0 % vs 0 %, p = 0.001), family support (1.6 % vs 0 %, p = 0.004), hair loss (1.8 % vs 0.3 %, p = 0.039), and long-term treatment sequelae (1.4 % vs 0 %, p = 0.007); and less likely to address themes of diagnosis (11.8 % vs 18.0 %, p < 0.001), fear or anxiety about cancer (3.4 % vs 8.2 %, p = 0.002), impact on sexual function (0.6 % vs 6.1 %, p < 0.001) and parenthood (0 % vs 3.7 %, p < 0.001). The median DISCERN score was 1.42 (Interquartile Range [IQR] 1.33–1.67) and 1.33 (IQR 1.00–1.92), for Spanish and English-language posts, respectively (p = 0.385). Conclusions: There were significantly more Spanish-language physician creators suggesting a strong interest in physician-driven content. Thematic differences between Spanish-language and English-language posts highlight important differences in experiences. CC-related content is of poor educational quality, regardless of language. Improving TikTok educational content could increase CC awareness and prevention.
KW - Cervical cancer
KW - Health care disparities
KW - Social media
KW - TikTok
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105002124563
U2 - 10.1016/j.ygyno.2025.02.004
DO - 10.1016/j.ygyno.2025.02.004
M3 - Article
C2 - 40221171
AN - SCOPUS:105002124563
SN - 0090-8258
VL - 194
SP - 131
EP - 136
JO - Gynecologic oncology
JF - Gynecologic oncology
ER -